Mississippi Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp Announced

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is partnering with Ducks Unlimited and many volunteers to host the MDWFP Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp.  The camp’s mission is to recruit and retain waterfowl hunters and increase support for wetland conservation and waterfowl hunting.  The camp is much more than a youth waterfowl hunting trip.  During the camp, youth ages 13 – 15 will increase their knowledge of waterfowl and wetland biology and management.  Classroom discussions and hands-on exercises will be led by MDWFP biologists and staff from Mississippi State University to help students gain a better understanding of wetlands, waterfowl, and ethical hunting practices.  In addition, local field trips to public and privately managed wetlands will expose youth to the diversity of habitats that waterfowl use in Mississippi.  The camp will include an optional adult-supervised waterfowl hunt.

The camp will be held in the Mississippi Delta on a private hunting club in Quitman County from January 30 – February 2, 2014.  Youth ages 13 – 15 are encouraged to apply.  Because of limited space, only 15 youth will be selected for the camp.  To apply for the camp, youth need to complete an application at www.mdwfp.com/youthwaterfowlcamp.  All applications will be ranked by quality and content of the essays, and youth will be notified if they were selected for the camp by January 13, 2014.

Prior hunting experience is not required to attend; however, a desire to learn about waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting is needed.  Meals and lodging will be provided for campers, and parents will be reimbursed for some travel expenses.  For more information about the MDWFP Youth Waterfowl Hunting and Education Camp, contact James Callicutt at (601) 432-2079 or jamesca@mdwfp.state.ms.us.

For more information regarding waterfowl in Mississippi, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl or call us at (601) 432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).